The Old West that Allison Amend writes about is very different from the romanticized Old West that John Wayne frequented.

Amend’s pioneer west is filled with issues of religion, sex and dark subjects that would make Wayne blush. She will visit Grand Valley State University today to share her own vision of the Old West, as part of the Grand Valley Writers Series.

“Amend is a really impressive young contemporary writer,” said Caitlin Horrocks, GVSU assistant professor of writing. “She’s not afraid of being funny.”

Amend’s second book, a historical novel titled “Stations West,” will be just one of the subjects discussed during the semester’s first Writing Series event. “Stations West” was a Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature finalist.

The author’s first book was a critically-acclaimed collection of short stories called “Things That Pass for Love.” The novel she is currently working on is weaves together two unlikely partners of art forgery and cloning.

Horrocks, the coordinator of the Writing Series, has invited six different writers to visit and interact with GVSU staff and students.

Amend’s visit includes a craft talk where she will share stories about her career, and answer questions and give a reading.

Both events are free and open to the public. The craft talk begins at 11:30 a.m. in Room 2263 of the Kirkhof Center and her reading will begin at 4 p.m. in Room 2250 of the Kirkhof Center.

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